Ardh Kumbh Mela on jihadists' radar since long

The arrest of four suspected terrorists in Haridwar on Tuesday night may have sent alarm bells ringing but it is not the first instance of terror-linked activity reported in the district.

In the last few years, there have been some activities, which hint that Haridwar — a key centre of religious tourism for Hindus as well as Muslims — may be on the radar of terrorists. On December 6, 2014, an explosion occurred near the venue of a VHP meet in which a 12-year-old boy was killed. From 2013 to 2015, over half a dozen letters threatening to carry out explosions at key locations such as railway stations were found in the district. There were also rumours that SIMI terrorists behind the Bijnor blast in 2014 had entered Uttarakhand via Haridwar.

IG Garhwal Sanjay Gunjyal maintained that security has been further beefed up and the search for suspects intensified after the arrest of the four youths on Wednesday. After the arrested youth reportedly admitted that they had been conducting a recce of major places in Haridwar and the trains coming to the district during the Ardh Kumbh, cops have stepped up security in and around railway stations in the district. "Ardh Kumbh is an important event attended by crores and we cannot take any chances, we are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts," Gunjyal said.

On December 6, 2014, Roorkee was shocked by a blast in Nehru Nagar area, near the venue of a VHP programme to mark the anniversary of Babri Mosque demolition.